Slacker's My Name

We have had a really good end of the year and I've just been too preoccupied to blog about it. Thanksgiving was nice and quiet- we were all by our lonesome and had a fabulous turkey dinner with only the trimmings we wanted and a lot of fun games and puzzles. It was so nice and relaxing. Christmas came upon us before we were quite ready. I pulled out the Christmas decoration boxes and the kids went to town putting things wherever they wanted too and I left it that way! We didn't get lights up this year and didn't get all the goodies made that we wanted to but we did enough. We went driving and looked at lights a couple of times, sang Christmas songs, exchanged gifts, made cookies, played with friends, and spent quite a bit of time at the Drs (but we won't dwell on that!) We visited my parents on Christmas Eve for a ham dinner- and I didn't cook a thing! The kids did a live nativity while their Dogone (that's what they call my dad) read from the Bible. The next morning was pretty perfect. Santa brought everyone something special in their stocking and everything else from him was for the whole family to enjoy together- a little something for each age group but none of "that's mine!" going on later in the year. The kids drew names and bought each other gifts and it was fun for them to do some giving and see the excitement that entails. Of course they were plenty excited to open their own gifts as well. The next day I got my Christmas gift from Peter. The kids- all of them- stayed at my parents house for the night while we stayed at a hotel in Arlington and I got to do a little shopping. We also went out to eat (thanks to some great giftcards we received from friends!) and saw Tale of Despareux. It was so rejuvenating and I think a whole weekend would have done even more good to my mind and body, lol. We did miss the kids though and were happy to see them, but more happy that they did just fine without us for one night. That was the very first time we have done that since we've had children. It was long overdue. New Year's Eve morning was spent at the Allergist getting Robert tested and he's pretty much allergic to the world as we suspected. If we can get that somewhat under control maybe his asthma won't be so bad anymore and he can get sick like a normal kid. We spent that evening at home and the older 3 kids stayed up to ring in the new year with us. We spent the next few days cleaning and de-Christmasing our house. We had beautiful weather up in the 80's at times so the kids were able to spend most of the time outside with friends in the neighborhood. So that's the holiday wrap-up!

In other news- Peter was finally promoted to Senior Analyst (or Fund Accountant or something- oops!) We feel very blessed that he is being promoted in this economy. Joseph is jumping off of the couches now and scaring me silly at every turn. Sometimes it's just easier not to watch because if I try to stop him it turns into a game of "scare Mommy" and just gets worse. Eric is in underwear now except for at naps and night and half the time he wakes up dry! Woo hoo! Kaela is really reading well and has really enjoyed being creative with tangrams. She and Robert like to create homes out of boxes for their Webkinz as well. She spends much of her time outside riding scooters with the boy next door. Robert has had a hard time recently because of his asthma and hasn't gotten to spend as much time outdoors as everyone else. Thankfully he has loved him Magnext set he received for Christmas as well as his K'nex and new Wii games. Sarah has enjoyed a little bit more freedom to go farther in the neighborhood to a friend's house. She also keeps reminding me that she is going to be 11 this year and can't wait to baby-sit for me. She insists on helping me so she can have practice and has even changed a couple of stinky diapers! Brave girl! She will be an excellent baby-sitter one day. I have been in somewhat of a funk lately but I think I'm starting to pull out of it. I've just felt very blah about everything and it isn't a fun feeling to have. I've been more aware of what I do and have tried to stay busy and productive and that has really helped- goodness knows there's enough to do! I'm in a place I have never been before. I don't have an infant and I am not expecting one either. Sometimes it is a great feeling and I didn't know I could have so much freedom, and time, and energy because I truly have never been in this place. Other times I miss it and I think I always will. It's a special time in my life and I know I am going to have many more great things ahead too. I've been busy being the Enrichment Leader in church and planning things for the women to do together and I still have a TON to learn there. I'm still watching a little baby a few days a week and she is really crawling around now so we're in for trouble! I'm thinking about starting to do digital scrapbooks but I'm not sure. I've never done the scrapbook thing and I'm not really sure where to start! Any tips are welcome.

Now for the pictures:

This was the night before Peter's big CFA test #1. There was a car fire right behind our house and close to one of our trees. I noticed it when I had to get up with Joseph so we called 911. It took them a good 20 minutes to get here. Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures before they put the fire out so they aren't all that exciting.

We were given all of these cups and the kids have found a better use for them than sitting in our cupboard!

Jumping off the back of the slide is much more fun than sliding down the right way!

We gave this to Joseph for Christmas. It had been sitting in our garage but was new to him!

Bubba loves Mr Potato head and Star Wars. Smart toy company put them together!

Her very own Tea Set

Finally his very own Webkinz!

She wanted this so she could learn how to be a spy. The walkie talkies they got from Grandma go with it perfectly.